April 13, 1998

Men's Tennis Edged Out by Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Notre Dame's 14th-ranked men's tennis team dropped its second straight 4-3 match to a top-10 opponent on Monday as sixth-ranked Illinois edged the Irish on the heels of another close loss to seventh-ranked Texas on Saturday. The Illini won the doubles point and then won three of six singles matches, including two three-set matches for the 4-3 win. The loss is the second regional loss for the Irish in 10 matches this season and the first to loss Illinois in 11 matches under 11th-year head coach Bobby Bayliss.

Illinois won two 9-7 matches at Nos. 1 and 2 doubles to win the doubles point. Irish sophomore Ryan Sachire, junior Brian Patterson and senior Eric Enloe each won straight-set singles matches for Notre Dame's three points. Seniors Jakub Pietrowski and Dan Rothschiuld lost three-set matches while Matt Horlsey fell in straight sets for Illinois' three singles wins.

The loss drops Notre Dame to 14-6 while Illinois improves to 14-5. The Irish return to the court for another regional road match at Michigan on Thurs., April 16, before closing out the regular season at Indiana on Sun., April 19.

#6 ILLINOIS 4, #14 NOTRE DAME 3
Doubles
No. 1:  Cary Franklin/Oliver Freelove (UI) def. 
        Brian Patterson/Jakub Pietrowski (ND) 9-7
No. 2:  Mike Blain/Gavin Sontag (UI) def. Vijay Freeman/Dan Rothschild (ND) 9-7
No. 3:  Matt Horsley/Ryan Sachire (ND) def. Matt Snyder/Jakub Teply (UI) 8-6
Singles
No. 1:  Sachire (ND) def. Freelove (UI) 7-5, 6-4
No. 2:  Sontag (UI) def. Pietrowski (ND) 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
No. 3:  Patterson (ND) def. Franklin (UI) 6-3, 6-2
No. 4:  Teply (UI) def. Rothschild (ND) 4-6, 6-2, 6-3
No. 5:  Jeff Laski (UI) def. Horsley (ND) 6-4, 7-5
No. 6:  Eric Enloe (ND) def. Snyder (UI) 6-3, 6-4